Some Cannabis Operators Continue Skirting Santa Cruz Co. Code

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Despite Santa Cruz County having a system in place that provides a way for many in the cannabis industry to operate legally in the region, non-permitted businesses continue to sprout. During 2019, sheriff’s office personnel assigned to the Cannabis Licensing Office have made 53 site visits and served 33 search warrants. During those investigations, nine firearms, approximately 38,000 cannabis plants, 2,500 pounds of processed cannabis flower, and 13 pounds of processed cannabis concentrate have been seized by the county due to lack of proper permitting, according to officials. A total of 112 administrative citations have been issued.

Last week, officials with the CLO conducted enforcement activities at 10 locations around Boulder Creek and brought several of those down. Here are the notes from county officials on those site visits:

• Ramble Road: 119 cannabis plants seized; cultivator issued $2,500 citation for non-permitted commercial cannabis cultivation. Homeowner issued $2,500 administrative
citation for non-permitted commercial cannabis distribution.

• Deer Creek Road: Property owner issued a 48-hour abatement notice for 127
cannabis plants under cultivation.
• Little Buck Road: 816 cannabis plants, cultivator issued a $2,500 administrative citation
for non-permitted commercial cannabis cultivation.
• Ramble Road at Skyview Road: Owner of property warned about unlawful grading
and building of commercial greenhouse. Referred to Planning Department for further
investigation.
• Skyview Road at Buckhorn: Owner self-abated 111 cannabis plants in lieu of 48-hour
abatement notice and administrative citation.
•Deer Creek Road #2: 324 cannabis plants seized, 132 pounds of processed cannabis
flower, and 38 pounds of cannabis for manufacturing seized. Cultivator issued $10,000
administrative citation for commercial cannabis cultivation and commercial distribution,
and property owner issued a $10,000 administrative citation for commercial cultivation
and commercial distribution.
• North Skyview Road at South Skyview Road: 133 cannabis plants seized,
manufactured cannabis, both cultivators issued $7,500 administrative citation for
commercial cultivation, manufacturing and distribution.
• North Skyview Road: 130 cannabis plants under cultivation were left on site after the
cultivator provided medical recommendations.
• North Skyview Road south of Kings Creek Road: Site inspection, no commercial
cannabis on site, in compliance.
• North Skyview Road at Kings Creek Road: Owner blocked access to prevent access,
discarded two handguns, psilocybin mushrooms and other evidence on the property after
observing the law enforcement arrival via video cameras. 183 cannabis plants seized,
psilocybin mushrooms, cannabis wax/concentrate, several thousand cannabis seeds
packaged for resale, 2 handguns, and 1176 cannabis “vape” pen cartridges seized.
Owner issued a $7,500 administrative citation for commercial cultivation, distribution
and manufacturing. The case was referred to the District Attorney’s Office for possible
prosecution.